A06491:43
The chief and principal articles of the Christen faith to hold against the Pope,…The chiefe and pryncypall articles of the Christen faythe to holde againste the Pope,…
The chief and principal articles of the Christen faith to hold against the Pope, and all papists, and the gates of hell, with other three very profitable and necessary books the names or titles, whereof are contain in the leaf next following. Made by Doctor Marten Luther. To the reader. In this book shall you find Christian reader the right probation of the right old catholic Church, and of the new false Church, whereby either of them is to be known. Read and judge.The chiefe and pryncypall articles of the Christen faythe to holde againste the Pope, and al papistes, and the gates of hell, with other thre very profitable and necessary bokes the names or tyttels, whereof are conteyne in the leafe next followynge. Made by Doctor Marten Luther. To the reader. In thys boke shal you fynde Christian reader the ryght probation of the righte olde catholyke Churche, and of the newe false Churche, whereby eyther of them is to be knowen. Reade and iudge.
printed by S. Mierdman for Gwalter Lynne, 1548
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondarily is it a thing not necessary, which without sin or fear may well be left.
Secondarely is it a thinge not necessary, which withoute synne or feare may well be lefte.
Thirdly, may the Sacrament be had after a godlier and better way (yea only after a Godlier fashion) after Christs institution. What is it then, that for an invented and on necessary thing, which otherwise may ⟨image 10⟩be had well, and much godlier, men will compel the world to misery and necessity?
Thirdely, maye the Sacrament be had after a godlier and better waye (yea onely after a Godlyer fasshson) after Christes institution. Vvhat is it then, that for an inuented and on necessarye thinge, which otherwyse may ⟨image 10⟩be had well, and muche godlyer, men wyl compelle the worlde to miserye and necessitie?
Let it be openly preached unto the people, how that the mass, as a thing invented by man, may without sin be omitted, and that no man is damned, because he doth not regard it. But may well without mass, and by a bold mean be saved. What will ye lay, if the mass as then do not fall by her self, not only among the foolish people, but also among all righteous, godly, discrete, God fearing hearts? Much more if they hear, that it is a dangerous thing without God's word, and will, imagined and invented.
Let it be openly preached vnto the people, howe that the masse, as a thynge inuented by man, may withoute synne be omitted, and that noman is damned, because he doth not regarde it. But maye wel withoute masse, and by a bolde meane be saued. Vvhat wyl ye laye, yf the masse as then do not fall by her selfe, not onely among the folysshe people, but also amonge all ryghteous, godly, discrete, God fearynge hertes? Moche more yf they heare, that it is a daungerous thynge withoute Goddes worde, and wyll, imagyned and inuented.